Santo Santoro (Queensland, Liberal Party, Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

The senator raises a very valid point but I again want to inform the Senate that the family planning organisations are funded by states and territories and indirectly by the Australian government through the PHOFAs to build the capacity of the health care sector by providing specialist sexual and reproductive health education and clinical training to health and other professionals. It is the responsibility of state and territory governments to allocate funds to meet the agreed outcomes under the terms of the PHOFAs. These arrangements have historically always been handled by the states, and I think that is a point that needs to be stressed.

In 2003-04, prior to funding being allocated through the PHOFAs, the Australian government provided $50 million per annum to family planning organisations. As I have just mentioned to Senator Fielding, the new measures announced by the Prime Minister today are expected to cost $51 million over the four years. I again stress that that is very good news for counselling services because that is above and beyond what has already been allocated. (Time expired)